Balague's dream Real-United XI

Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague's recent column on 'The Perfect Match' drew the conclusion that there is precious little between Real Madrid and Manchester United heading into Wednesday night's mouth-watering Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

A game that could not be more finely balanced has whetted the appetite of the watching globe, with any tactical duel that pits Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson against each other always as intriguing as it is full-bloodied.

Balague rates Cristiano Ronaldo as 'better than any one player in the United ranks' but otherwise says there's not much between the rest of those available to Mourinho and Ferguson respectively.

With this in mind, we've charged one of Spain's most respected journalists with the task of selecting a best possible XI made up of players from both clubs.

Given the freedom of both dressing rooms Guillem favoured Madrid as he picked seven Real players to United's four, with an attacking line-up very much in the tradition of both clubs.

His front three isn't too shabby but if you think you can do better or have problems with any of our man's picks, fill in the feedback form below and we'll publish a selection of your best XIs.

With kick-off drawing ever closer in the Spanish capital, step into the dugout, don your favourite sheepskin and get picking your Real Madrid/Manchester United select XIs...

Readers' Comments

I

t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.